- Nprn: 7146
- Summary: The arrival of the railway in Aberystwyth in 1864 made the town even more accessible to the visitor, especially from England. As the English Congregationalists appeal pamphlet stated in 1865: Aberystwyth has been for many years a favourite place of resort for English visitors. But since the Welsh Coast Railway has been opened to the town, their number has greatly increased... under these circumstances it becomes imperative to provide additional means of accommodation for public worship. The native population, who by their own efforts have made ample provision for their own religious requirements, very naturally prefer services conducted in their mother-tongue though even amongst them there is a considerable number of young people who have been educated in England, and to whom an English ministry would be acceptable. It is, however, principally for the sake of the English visitors, and others whom the extension of the railways may bring to settle in the neighbourhood, that provision needs to be made.
As far as the Congregationalists were concerned, that provision was in the form of this church in Portland Street. Built to the designs of the Manchester architects, Paull & Aycliffe, it was dedicated on 27 July 1866. In contrast to the simplicity of the Welsh Congregationalist chapel in Vulcan Street, the new church was in Gothic, in a plain but elegant Gothic as the appeal pamphlet emphasised, the style recommended by the English Congregational Chapel Building Society the Society loaned money free of interest for places of worship in places where they were badly needed and gave practical advice including inspection of plans, specifications, contracts and deeds. As the Secretary of the Society wrote: In no other style (Gothic) can we build so substantially, conveniently, attractively and economically. Prominent features are the large arch in the façade and the integral tower.
By 1998 the chapel had been converted to a doctors surgery. Originally the tower on the right was topped with a bell stage and a slate-clad, angular sided spire, now replaced with yellow brickwork.
RCAHMW, November 2009 - Description: Cause begun 1836; chapel built 1866 (1876?) in Gothic style, gable entry type, to the design of Paull & Robinson of Manchester. Cost including purchase of freehold £2600. A prominent feature of this Chapel is the large arch in the façade and the integral tower. Status (1998): other (surgery)
- Built: 1866 Source:Capel
- Built: 1866 Source:Horsfall-Turner
- Built: 1866 Source:RCAHMW
- Built*: 1866 Source:Capel
- Cause: 1866 Source:Evan James
- Cause: 1836 Source:Horsfall-Turner
- Closed: 1984 Source:
- Date Of Chapel: 1866 Source:
- Manse Added: 1880 Source:Capel
- Schoolroom Added: 1880 Source:Capel
- Architect: 1866 Henry John Paull, Manchester
- £ 5500: 1905 (RCCEORBWM)
- 480: 1905 (RCCEORBWM)
- 450: 1903 (Horsfall-Turner)
- 250: 1905 (RCCEORBWM)
- Converted: 25/08/1996 Surgery (Site visit)
- Materials
- Stone
- Monument Type: CHAPEL
- Form: Building
- Style: Gothic
- Plan: Gable Entry
- Window Glazing: Tracery
- Windows: Perpendicular
Key Details of this Chapel
Key Dates of this Chapel
Key People in this Chapel History
Costs during this Chapels History
Capacities during this Chapels History
Changes of Status its History
Key Characteristics of this Chapel
Images from Coflein
Map
- Grid Reference: SN58418187
- Address: PORTLAND STREET, ABERYSTWYTH,ABERYSTWYTH
2 thoughts on “PORTLAND STREET ENGLISH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, ABERYSTWYTH (ENGLISH CONGREGATIONAL)”
Leave a Reply Cancel Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Hello
My great great grandparents were married in Kinnerton Chapel in Old Radnor on 21st May1850. I have been searching for information on the Chapel, so was pleased to find this website. I have now located it on Google Street View – looks like someone is ‘doing it up’ to live in: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.2612635,-3.1095337,3a,90y,232.95h,84.26t/data=!3m9!1e1!3m7!1s-8DWPORkq2RFVNXBLde_-g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!9m2!1b1!2i53?hl=en-GB
The marriage record of my ancestors Abraham Bounds and Elizabeth Williams is attached. I hope it is of interest.
All the best
Saira
Dear Sara
Thank you for the information. I am glad to hear that it was some help to you.
Good luck on your continued search
Christine